Rookie trustee’s poor attendance raises ire of labour council president

The Calgary and District Labour Council is raising concerns after attendance records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act show a Calgary Board of Education trustee has missed one-third of all meetings over the past year.

The request provides information on trustee attendance records from Oct. 10, 2017 to June 12, 2018 and shows Mike Bradshaw, trustee for Wards 12 and 14, has missed 26 of 71 meetings, which equates to a 36.6 per cent absence rate.

Bradshaw is a first-time trustee, voted in during the last election. He ran with the Students Count slate, hoping to improve the quality of education for students.

Alexander Shevalier, president of the Calgary and District Labour Council said there was nothing that instigated the information request, rather just curiosity to see how they were doing. With Bradshaw’s attendance record, however, Shevalier said he’s “shocked.”

“I think when we elect somebody to represent us, I think there’s an expectation that a tab are minimum,they show up for work. And if they can’t show up for work then they need to explain why,” said Shevalier.

The attendance records show Bradshaw has missed all meetings that are private, meaning there is no public participation or audience.

“This is his first year on the job. He knows there has to be an amazing explanation as to why he’s not showing up. Otherwise I think he should resign,” said Shevalier.

“In any other job, if you miss a third of work, you will lose your job unless there is a very, very convincing reason why you shouldn’t.”

Shevalier said he’s not trying to be the “attendance police” but every other trustee has a “pretty good” attendance record and Bradshaw is the outlier.

Wards 6 and 7 trustee Lisa Davis had the next highest rate of missed meetings at five. Davis is also a first-time trustee and ran with Bradshaw on the Students Count slate.

“Bluntly speaking, Mr. Bradshaw owes an explanation to the residents of Ward 12 and 14 because they’re not being represented.”

Postmedia has reached out to Bradshaw and the CBE for comment but as of press time has not received a response from either.

EVA FERGUSON Mike Bradshaw, shown as he kicked off his campaign for Calgary Board of Education trustee in 2017, was elected trustee for Wards 12 and 14. He has missed 26 of 71 meetings from last October through June.